Nyle MacFarlane, MS, OTR/L

Nyle is available 11:00am-3:00pm on Fridays.

Nyle MacFarlane received her Masters in Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science from Towson University in 2008. She founded Blue Nyle Therapy Services, LLC in 2008 and has worked in a variety of adult rehab and pediatric settings. In 2010, she partnered with a fitness facility in Bethesda, MD to establish a pediatric Occupational Therapy clinic.

Nyle is uniquely trained as one of very few manual pediatric occupational therapists in the DC metro area. Her integrative approach combines several methods of fascial therapies that address the root cause of most pain and dysfunction in adults and children. Her methods include the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release (JFB MFR) Approach and the Gillespie Approach, also known as Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT).

JFB MFR is a hands-on approach that uses gentle sustained pressure directly on the skin, to release fascial restrictions surrounding the muscles and organs, which helps to eliminate pain and restore motion. CFT combines two very powerful and familiar manual therapies (myofascial release and craniosacral therapy), creating a third method that is uniquely designed to address the fascial restrictions in a baby’s craniosacral fascial system that are often the result of pelvic fascial pressure in utero, birthing difficulties, or midline birth issues such as tongue tie.

For more information on these two types of therapy, please visit www.myofascialrelease.com and www.gillespieapproach.com

For more information on Nyle MacFarlane, please visit her website at www.bluenyletherapy.com

Why Myofascial Release?

Through trauma in your normal life: falls, surgery, habitual poor posture, thwarted inflammatory responses and other actions, fascia has the tendency to tighten, solidify and constrict. The now restricted tissue pulls on surrounding structures through the continuous web of fascia. Left uncorrected, the fascia web will reorganize to support and reinforce these areas that are subjected to increased tension, which causes the restriction to spread. Myofascial release can alleviate restricted tissue and allow your body to function properly.
What does MFR help with? MFR will help to relieve chronic pain and get you back into a more active lifestyle.

Please visit www.myofascialrelease.com for more information or www.bluenyletherapy.com to learn more about Nyle MacFarlane, MS, OTR/L

Frequently Asked Questinons

What is Fascia?

Fascia is a densely woven connective tissue that surrounds and interconnects every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, artery and cell of our body. It is the fascial system that connects us from head-to-toe, which is why restrictions or damaged tissue in one are of the body (ex. head) can often cause symptoms to manifest in another part of the body (ex. digestive system).
What is Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (also known as the Gillespie Approach)?
CFT is a safe and gentle method that combines craniosacral and fascial therapy techniques to relieve restrictions in the fascial system. These restrictions often occur due to fetal or birthing trauma and can cause symptoms such as reflux, poor suck-swallow-breathe reflex, or torticollis. CFT can release these fascial restrictions at birth; thereby giving the brain and body the opportunity to function at its optimal level and possibly preventing or reducing the likelihood of many future diseases.
What should I expect a session to look like?
CFT is very gentle and should not cause pain, however, children under the age of 4 are more likely to cry during therapy because they are confused or frustrated. The therapist uses a series of gentle techniques to locate patterns of fascial strain and the child often releases this strain through “infant driven movement” or unwinding. A session typically lasts between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on how much work the child needs in a given session. The therapist and child may complete a series of unwindings for several minutes, then take a break before completing 1-2 more unwinding sessions. The therapist will then follow up with some home treatment strategies to address the caregivers’ goals. Please visit www.gillespieapproach.com to watch the short videos of what the therapy looks like.

How many sessions will my child need?

The child’s therapy needs will vary depending on their age and how involved their physical need may be. Your therapist will recommend the frequency of visits and the duration of overall treatment during the initial evaluation. On average, a child will benefit from weekly sessions for 1-2 months, followed by a few monthly sessions for maintenance.

How can I best prepare my child for the session?

Please bring your child in comfortable clothing. Babies may wear just their diaper with or without a onesie. Young children usually benefit from having a favorite toy or security item that they may use during the session. Children over 4 yrs. may benefit from a brief explanation of what to expect prior to the session. You will not be billed for a session that lasts less than 15 minutes, if your child refuses treatment.

What should I do during my child’s session?

The child’s parent or guardian is encouraged to stay in the room during the session and provide comfort or nurse during rest breaks. It is recommended that the caregiver also take notes or video of the session so that (s)he can follow up with the recommended home program strategies immediately following therapy.

Do adults benefit from this work?

Yes, anyone with fascia would benefit from fascial therapy! However, the therapist may use a slightly different method known as the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach. This approach may be more beneficial in managing symptoms related to chronic pain, disc problems, postural alignment issues, and surgical scars. Our therapists also specialize in myofascial release for women’s health in order to address pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence issues, infertility problems, mastectomy pain, and post-partum recovery. Your therapist may offer special packages for mommy/caregiver and baby treatment.

Specializing in Prenatal, Pediatric, and Family Wellness Care

Call us at (240) 430-1004 or click the link below to schedule an appointment today!